Right Now

Right now, I'm...

...still feeling tenderhearted from the news that's continuing to make headlines from Friday's terrible loss.
...feeling a touch tired of Christmas music, and listening to a little Beth Orton this morning.
...enjoying some cinnamon brewed with my coffee.
...fretting over a 'croupey' cough that kept Audrey up off-and-on until past midnight last night, and has actually been around since Friday evening. Perhaps there's a doctor appointment in our future... soon.
...planning a grocery shopping trip that will hopefully keep us supplied until the end of the month (I sure don't want to get out again after today if I can help it!).
...making a list for all the baking I want to get done this week, and then editing it down to a more realistic to-do list... then editing it again.
...shaking my head at how fast things change after a little trip down memory lane.
...looking forward to the kickoff of our holiday marathon with a quiet, (hopefully) peaceful Solstice celebration with just the four of us... and a really good dinner.
...loving the enthusiasm for a little week-before-Christmas holiday making with my babies, and the great photos their Daddy managed to take mid-final touches.

In order to further edit the to-do list for the week and remain calm and present with my family, I will be wishing all a merry and bright Last Week, and will be back in this space again for 'This Moment' on Friday. 

Happy Monday!

Tragedy

There is probably not a single person with a soul that did not go to bed Friday night without a heart heavy for the families of the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary. Sorrow was surly my companion throughout  my dreams Friday night, ever present, abstract and looming... sorrow for a broken world, the loss of innocence, and the abrupt change in direction for the futures of so many.

It is, however, a sweet sorrow not easily shaken, respectful in it's purity and sincerity. A sorrow that will linger for a long time, inspiring thoughts and prayers throughout the day for the mourning parents of those lost. A sorrow that at the same time pulls from deep within an overwhelming thankfulness for what is present and good, continuous and constant.

As time wears on and on, sometimes intimately connected to us and at other times so harshly oblivious, may healing and peace find their way to those touched by this tragedy.

This Moment

Playing along with Amanda today... in her words: 

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Fuzzy-Warm Feelings

We have less than two weeks until the midwinter celebrations for most people will commence.

Being this close to such a widespread, popular, highly commercialized, bright and shiny deadline can bring some people kinda close to 'the edge,' you know what I mean? Or maybe that's just me... ahem.

Do you find yourself stressed about what you're expected to contribute to the holiday feast? Worried about seeing that certain branch of family? Pinching pennies to finally finish checking off that gift list?

Maybe you need a hand. Maybe you need an aspirin. Maybe you need a hug.

I may not be able to do much, but I can send you a hug of sorts, because if there's one thing we're not short on over here, it's impromptu displays of fuzzy-warm feelings... even if they end up like this...

...and this just about says it all, doesn't it? At least the thought was there, and around this time of year, you you shouldn't be worried about anything more.

Hang in there, and happy almost-holidays.

Seeking

Every year around this time, something within me that I must have inherited from long ago ancestors stirs, awakens. It's the ancient part of my consciousness that rouses with the darkening days... the part of me that feels anchored to house and home when the fire is alive and well, the food on the table is simple and (at least partially) from home-grown and homemade caches, and the ones I love are gathered around me. The holidays seem to bring out a longing in me- not to seek sales and deals and more, more, more- a longing for simple, for endurance, for preciousness, for meaning in the things around me and the traditions I follow.

I find that maintaining a link to the origins of the things that surround us (as best we can) seems to foster a connectedness from which sprouts a sense of respect, satisfaction, and gratitude. Things as simple as making your own bread and choosing a real evergreen for your holiday tree can go so far in opening eyes (grown-up and child alike) to the process that brings the raw elements of sunlight, fresh air, water, and earth into the home. There are so many beautiful opportunities for someone to feel true appreciation for what they have and where it came from; the feeling of a scarf made from real wool wrapped close to the face, the sound of hardwood popping in the fireplace and the smell of the wood smoke mixed with frosty air, the feel of a wooden toy to a small child's hands, or getting to watch bread rise.

It's easy to trace these things back to their origins- wool from sheep, wood from trees, flour from grain, bread from the work of your hands and the heat of the oven- and to feel the gratitude that comes from being so close to the source of what sustains you.

There are, of course, some things that we may not have the ability or desire to possess in its natural, raw, or homemade state... however, there are opportunities every day to make a choice in favor of something closer to a more unrefined product... especially around the holidays.

In leaning away from the disposable, meaningless, place-holding 'I-have-no-idea-what-is-expected-so-I'll-just-grab-this-thing' mindset, we could decrease quantity, increase quality, and make our holidays more simple and more special... and who doesn't want that?

So, mid-prep in the holiday whirlwind, I find myself (as frequently as possible) asking these three questions: Is it useful? Is it special? Is it going to last? If I can say 'yes' to two out of three, I know I'm on the right track.

Of course, I'm not anywhere close to being able to apply this to every area of my life, and it would be pompous of me to think I was. However, as I think about the life I want to build for my family, I can't escape this philosophy, and I think the fact that I circle back around to it time and time again means there is a truth in it for me, for us. If, in following this path, I can find a way to teach my children that life is more than what you own, how much you spend, how easily it can be disposed of, and how much more you can acquire, I believe they will not just learn but know respect, contentment, and gratitude, and that is a lesson worth seeking.

Right Now

Right now, I'm loving...

...the appearance of Christmas here, there, and everywhere. Happy-merry-Monday.

Linking up with Three Squares today.

Inside/Outside

Inside...

Outside...

It seems like we aren't the only ones confused with the season + weather around here. However, despite it all, we're putting our heads down, turning on the carols, and decking the halls. They say the weather will eventually catch up. Poor honeysuckle.

Happy weekending.